Impact of torture on children may vary depending on the child’s coping strategies, cultural and social circumstances. In this paper the author gives a brief introduction of the work the Refugee Therapy Center does with children, discusses the effects of torture on children and presents a vignette and some examples of clinical intervention.

* The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)’s Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of

This article was reviewed by doctoral physical therapy student from the University of Minnesota, Angela Pitar, 2014.

Link to full text article from the Dignity-Danish Institute Against Torture is below.

Background - the assumptions that physical pain, unexplained by medical or physical findings, is psychosomatic in nature has been long standing and pervasive as was pain reported by survivors of torture attributed to psychological trauma.

At CVT Nairobi, our counseling staff has been helping LGBTI clients with mental health care for several years. Most recently, we integrated physiotherapy after clients were raising concerns about the well-being of their physical health. From the counseling group cycle, a 10-week physiotherapy cycle was developed, focused on a safe space for LGBTI clients to address functional issues such as chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders and pelvic floor disorders.

At CVT Jordan, one of the most powerful and successful things that we are doing on the physiotherapy team is the children’s group sessions. During my three and a half years as a physiotherapist at CVT, I have come to understand how important it is to include the parents in their children’s healing journey. In order to get the best results, at CVT we have modified our approach as we’ve learned from the children and their parents.

When I work with survivors of torture, I keep in mind that they are not only dealing with pain and problems with mobility or functioning. They are also dealing with memories and fear. As a physiotherapist, I understand that a survivor who is unable to move in specific ways may be avoiding the torture position. At CVT, I help survivors move past these fears.

Join the PT Facebook Group

This facebook group was created by physiotherapists at the Center for Victims of Torture, with assistance from University of Minnesota doctoral physiotherapy students, to facilitate communication, sharing ideas, and offering support. The group is secret, with the highest privacy settings, in order to protect the identity of physio members who could be targeted for working with survivors. If you are interested in being part of the Facebook group “Physiotherapy for Survivors of Torture,” send a Facebook friend request to Laura Pizer Gueron, who will then accept your friend request and add you to the group. For your privacy, Laura will then unfriend you. If you have questions, email Laura at lgueron@cvt.org.

As of 4/26/16, we have 50 members from 14 countries, and some very interesting postings, with links to blogs about PT and torture, as well as to videos about treatment ideas.

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CVT National Capacity Building Project received $419,412 through competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant #90ZT0142. The project will be financed with 90.6% of Federal funds and 9.4 % and $43,593 by non-governmental sources. The contents of this website are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

The National Capacity Building Project is a project of The Center for Victims of Torture. No official endorsement by ORR, DHHS, or CVT for the information on this website is intended or should be inferred.